The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 168



< Sowing the Seeds (2) >

I was wondering why the traffic was so bad.

Oh my-

It was because the streets were full of people.

“Get off around here.”

“yes.”

To prepare for possible assassins I always hide my identity when I go to crowded places.

He wears a mask a hat and even glasses.

It’s to completely disguise one’s appearance as someone else.

“Hill (Lee Kang). This way.”

“okay.”

We also used pseudonyms and our group walked slowly to where Roosevelt was.

“Excuse me. Are you going to vote in three months?”

“You must vote for Roosevelt then.”

Supporters helping with the campaign thrust signs with the candidates’ names on them at me and pleaded with me to vote for Roosevelt.

Since I live in California I cannot vote for Roosevelt who is running for the New York Senate.

But since he was going to hit me if I went without saying anything I said I would vote for Roosevelt and crossed the crowded street.

“What a clever campaign slogan.”

“That’s right. It seems like a clever two-faced tactic.”

New York state is huge.

Its size alone is about 1.5 times that of South Korea.

Because it had such a huge landmass its constituencies were divided into regions with very different political leanings.

“For change Roosevelt! Please vote for the Democratic Party’s Roosevelt.”

“Roosevelt to the Senate! Democrats to the majority!”

“and-”

In the Democratic strongholds he visited on his way ahead Roosevelt campaigned putting his party name first.

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the other side.

In the Republican stronghold where I stand now he was campaigning by emphasizing only Roosevelt’s last name.

While secretly hiding the fact that he is the Democratic candidate.

“One mole Roosevelt! No matter what anyone says there is no one like Roosevelt.”

『One Mall Roosevelt! One Mall Roosevelt!』

It seems that they are using this campaign slogan to capitalize on the popularity of the current President Theodore Roosevelt.

But what fool would vote for a guy just because he has the same last name as the president?

This shallow method actually worked quite well.

The afterglow of Theodore who had successfully won three terms was truly unbelievably bright.

“I guess they hired a pretty good campaign planner.”

In the United States a huge national event is held every two years.

This climate has fostered a uniquely American profession: the election planner.

People who are similar to lobbyists but have slightly different personalities.

‘Wilson and Roosevelt too. It seems like the Democratic Party is really preparing this time?’

Who is it?

Who planned this election in this midterm election?

I thought of some famous election planners as I have encountered many of them throughout history.

“Ha! The public seems to be dumber than I thought. They fall for such a ridiculous strategy.”

Hoover like Rockefeller was a hard-core hard-core Republican.

He squinted his eyes looking slightly displeased with the other party’s propaganda.

“Watch what you say.”

Since I am a non-politician I can say whatever I want now.

If you make a habit of using foul language you may end up in big trouble later on.

That’s why.

I advised him in advance to correct Hoover’s bad habits.

“The public is smarter than you think. More than you expect.”

“….”

“First of all you have a really good memory. Of course it’s selective.”

The public has a tendency to remember what they want to hear.

The fact that politicians’ corruption and foul language are becoming less intense but still continuing to follow one after another is also part of this effect.

I emphasized this.

“sorry.”

“Your potential enemies are everywhere. Even if you live as a businessman you should always be careful about this. If you don’t want to get stabbed in the back of the head later.”

“Thank you for the advice. I will keep it in mind.”

Before I knew it.

Arrived at Roosevelt’s office.

A small campaign camp set up next to the law office where he worked.

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I took a deep breath before going inside and looked at Hoover.

“Okay let’s go in.”

* * *

“Your Majesty please come in.”

Roosevelt looked visibly tired perhaps because he had not slept well the night before.

He had just shaved his beard in time for my visit; his lower face bore razor-cut marks.

“Attorney Roosevelt. No. Senator Roosevelt. Long time no see.”

“He is just a candidate who has not even been elected yet. Please retract what you just said.”

“Hey what are you talking about? Various opinion polls say otherwise. It’s within the margin of error but aren’t we slightly ahead? And that’s in a very Republican stronghold. Isn’t it?”

What you just said is true.

Roosevelt was doing well in a Republican stronghold.

Although it is within the margin of error the approval rating was 3-5% higher than that of the opponent.

Considering that he was a political newcomer this could be seen as a great achievement.

“You never know until the last minute when the election will be over. Moreover the opposing candidate is once again chasing me. He is pushing forward with a huge amount of ‘sponsorship money.’”

Of course the accent was ordinary.

The word ‘large donation’ rang in my ears.

“Please say hello.”

I pretended not to understand Roosevelt’s intentions and struck Hoover in the side who was standing next to me like a stick.

“Oh! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to me. We’ve greeted each other before. This is Herbert Hoover.”

“This is Franklin Roosevelt. It’s nice to meet you again.”

Roosevelt looked at Hoover for a moment then turned his head back to me.

Because Roosevelt’s attention at the moment is only on me not on Hoover.

“Your Majesty could you please give me the documents you brought?”

“Oh I was absentminded for a moment while you were busy campaigning. Here you are.”

I handed over the relevant documents with an indifferent expression.

Roosevelt who was checking each one opened the envelope with a look on his face like he was saying ‘What is this?’

“This prince.”

“Tell me.”

“What is this check?”

I chuckled and made a face like it was nothing.

“It’s a gift. It’s a political donation for you.”

Franklin Roosevelt’s eyes widen.

I had a rough idea of ​​it but I didn’t know it would come this quickly and now.

“Gasp! A hundred thousand dollars?”

Roosevelt’s eyes grew wide again when a larger amount of money than expected came in as donations.

As expected of a rookie politician he showed his inexperience in controlling his facial expressions and expressed his emotions as they were.

“No. You don’t have to do this.”

“Take it.”

“Even before you ran for election didn’t you send someone to give me political donations? And that was the first time.”

no way.

Unfortunately I found out that you are not the first sponsor.

By the way they are giving lip service like this.

“But you’re donating this huge sum of money to me again?”

I don’t know if it will go down in history but Franklin Roosevelt was the first president in American history to be elected to four consecutive terms.

We need to oil up someone in advance who will be so successful.

You may still be able to get help later.

As a former lobbyist I know this ecosystem better than anyone so I saw this as an opportunity I couldn’t miss.

“Didn’t we talk about this and that when we were reviewing the contract before? I supported you because you seemed interested in politics.”

“….”

It is difficult to make Franklin understand with such empty words since he has given him a large sum of money.

A situation that could rather cause resentment.

That’s why I explained to him why I gave him the money mixing truth and lies within the appropriate line.

“Actually… I did that because I thought it was time to make a useful connection on my Democratic side. I know a lot of Republican lawmakers but not a single one on the Democratic side.”

“Ah! I see.”

“Don’t be so stressed. A businessman is a person who doesn’t have to be politically biased. Having insurance here and there is essential to running your business. Isn’t that right Mr. Hoover?”

“That’s right.”

Hoover looked around the campaign trail blankly then nodded awkwardly in response to my question.

Judging from the way you acted it seems like you didn’t hear the question I asked.

I think he’s been distracted by the election campaign.

“Here’s the contract. Please check it quickly.”

Although time was limited Franklin Roosevelt did his best to complete the notarization process.

Because it was my request to donate an additional hundred thousand dollars that put me at the top of the list of donors.

He gave the contract back to me only after checking it twice or three times.

“Confirmation complete. There doesn’t seem to be any problem.”

“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule.”

“No. On the contrary I have received grace again.”

I gave one of the two documents to Hoover and the other to Woo Hyun-sik my financial officer.

After that I looked at Roosevelt and promised the next time.

“I’m planning on staying here in the East until the fall. Once you’re elected and have some free time come see me with your state Senate card on.”

“yes.”

As soon as I left Roosevelt’s campaign site I quickly tapped Hoover on the shoulder.

“you.”

“Please speak Your Majesty.”

“Do you have some time?”

“Yes? What is it for?”

I snickered and crossed my arms.

“You’re a millionaire now and you’re just going to go back? You should treat me who asked you for a huge sum of money!”

* * *

“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”

At a fancy bar.

Hoover and I were having a drink.

ah!

Of course Hoover will pay for the drinks today.

That’s why I ordered some really expensive drinks.

“Your face has been covered in shadows ever since you visited Roosevelt’s lawyer’s office earlier.”

“….”

“It’s so frustrating. Why? Is something wrong?”

“no.”

I know why Hoover reacts this way.

Continue living as an entrepreneur or become a politician.

It must be because he is standing at a very important crossroads.

‘What choice should I make? Should I go into politics like the original history?’

I could see the ending in a rough way but I tried hard not to see it.

I gently coaxed Hoover into an atmosphere where he could open up his mind.

“Speak frankly to me. I think that’s about the level between the two of us. Am I the only one who feels that way?”

From Hoover’s perspective I.

He is an important client who spends money like a fool.

So after thinking for a moment he briefly revealed to me the current topic he was struggling with.

“I was talking about Attorney Roosevelt earlier. He looked quite tired on the outside but he had a very happy expression on his face.”

I made a very obvious expression.

“Aren’t you winning the election?”

“….”

“It must be because they are slightly ahead in the polls. If it had been the other way around it would have been like a funeral.”

“Is that so?”

“okay.”

Lobbyists are active in many business circles but their main stage is Washington.

Because I have been in and out of the office of the National Assembly members many times and observed how they conduct elections from the side.

I explained Roosevelt’s current situation and why his expression could not help but be bright.

“Furthermore didn’t you provide the funds at the right time? My political donations will be like a shower to Roosevelt. It will fill in the missing piece of the puzzle.”

“Yes.”

Money is everything now as it was then.

This is especially true during elections.

There was even an opinion that the number of people who raised more donations was similar to the approval rating of the respective candidates.

“It must have been a bit difficult for you to raise funds because you have a district that is unfavorable to a political newcomer. Now that I’ve opened up a breathing space all that’s left is to take action.”

New York is a very stronghold of the Republican Party.

This era.

It’s not as good as Pennsylvania or Illinois but it’s a close second.

If he had run as a Republican candidate he wouldn’t have had to go through such a difficult and arduous journey.

Because of the party’s color Roosevelt was worried that he might turn the tables even though he was winning.

But with the money secured Roosevelt no longer had to worry.

So that we can continue to run an aggressive election campaign again.

“He will do everything he can to make sure the scales are tipped in his favor. Roosevelt will probably win. Of course we have to open the ballot boxes. We must not let our guard down until the very end.”

“I agree.”

Hoover’s eyes sparkle.

I snorted at his overly obvious reaction and looked at him.

“Why? Are you interested in politics too?”

“yes.”

I immediately agree.

It looks like you’ve made up your mind.

“I was born a Midwestern country bumpkin and have traveled the world. That has taught me one thing.”

“What is it?”

“America is a blessed land. Moreover America will soon become the most powerful country in the world.”

and!

As an explorer Hoover is good at analysis.

The words he is spitting out now are not just childish words or the words of a young man obsessed with nationalism.

“And I want to hold that America in my hands.”

“….”

They said to dream big.

also.

I’ve been interested in the presidency for a long time.

This kid.

“Yes. I’m a country bumpkin born in the Midwest not the East but don’t you have a big dream? Hahaha-”

Even the nagging at the end.

This is perfect.

“Then take it in your hand.”

“Huh? What is that….”

“I mean hold it in your hand.”

If you come out like this shouldn’t I also react in a refreshing way?

I tried hard to say what I wanted to say without any embellishment.

“Why? Didn’t it say that an orphan born in Iowa couldn’t become President of the United States?”

“….”

“Is there such a passage in the US Constitution?”

“Oh no.”

Hoover’s eyes changed.

He had been drinking heavily but his eyes didn’t look drunk at all.

“Will you help me?”

“….”

“I feel like you must have some hidden intentions when you give me this kind of encouragement.”

He continued to remain silent.

First of all to listen to what he has to say.

“There are many obstacles to becoming president. Being the first sponsor means sharing all these difficulties with him.”

okay.

yes.

If you are not careful you may fail to recover your investment.

That’s investing in people.

“Will you still help me?”

“of course.”

I brought out the reason I had thought of.

“No one has as much influence on a politician as his first patron. Where else would you miss such a great opportunity?”

“It could be turning on the faucet.”

“I have a lot of money. I am Lee Kang-il.”

“….”

Before I knew it.

The word Lee Kang became a proper noun.

“Before we shake hands there’s something I’d like to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I will never do anything that goes against the national interests of the United States. I want to make this clear to you even if you threaten me with a knife.”

Other than the knife.

What if they threaten you with money?

‘You have a good attitude.’

They are trying to sell even a country that doesn’t have anyone.

I chuckled and responded to Hoover’s declaration.

“What kind of president would sell out his country? Besides I’m not stupid enough to ask you such a reckless favor.”

Hoover reached out.

I immediately grabbed the hand he extended.

“The contract has been concluded.”

Sticky and moist.

But I don’t think there has ever been a more pleasant handshake than this one.

I looked at Hoover and began to think about how I could increase my interest.

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